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Role of soft skills in the logistics and supply chain management

Researchers conducted a systematic review and content analysis of studies that explored the importance of soft skills required for effective engagement in supply chain management. Based on 179 research studies, the following soft skills were identified as most significant in logistics and supply chain
operations:
• Good interpersonal communication: Necessary for seamless coordination with diverse stakeholders and for distilling complex data into easy-to-understand information.
• Teamwork: Necessary for overcoming challenges and making collective decisions.
• Stress management and time management: Crucial for being able to handle dynamic, highstress scenarios, maintaining composure, and making prudent decisions under heavy stress.
• Emotional intelligence: Important for cultivating emotional rapport with team members, navigating complex workplace dynamics, and fostering effective emotional management among employees.
The authors point out there is a need to balance hard and soft skills to effectively manage global supply chains, but that the literature on supply chain operations still continues to heavily focus on hard skills.

SOURCE: Cantoni, F., Ricciardi, A ., Bisogni, P. G., & Zsifkovits, H. (2024). The unravelled role of soft skills in the lo gistics and supply chain management field. Journal of Innovation & K nowledge, 9(4), 100615.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100615

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Identifying purchaser skills fostering green innovation

Researchers explored the purchasing skills gap for innovation and sustainability and presented a set of specific PSM competencies needed to foster green innovation to ultimately achieve a simultaneously sustainable and innovative PSM function. Using a systematic analysis of job advertisements, researchers categorised skills into innovation skills and sustainability skills:
• Innovation skills: Strategic sourcing, negotiation, contract management, innovative sourcing, leadership and critical thinking, feasibility analysis, identifying disruptive business opportunities, fostering a culture of innovation, and stakeholder relationship management.
• Sustainability skills: Developing sustainability strategy, assess and identify sustainability risks, policy compliance, sustainable sourcing, circular economy management, interpersonal skills, green value chain management, UN sustainable development goals, and carbon footprint reduction. Innovation skills were described as “pull skills” because they focus on finding solutions and mainly revolve around identifying business opportunities. Sustainability skills were described as “push skills” because they primarily revolve around managing sustainability risks and implementing the tools for doing so.

SOURCE: Picaud-Bello, K ., Murielle Francilette, Schiele, H., & K och, V. (2024). Innovation through sustainability: Identifying purchaser skills fostering green innovation. Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, 10, 100136–100136. 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clscn.2023.100136